Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: muzik on November 29, 2010, 10:40:23 PM
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More of a suggestion to help the game grow than a wish. The free WW1 arena suggested by AKWabbit is a great idea and I just wanted to add to it. Had this in mind for a long time and his post inspired me to throw this out there.
Indefinite free accounts should be available with access to certain aspects of the game. Like gunning from any air, ground, or sea manable guns.
This gives people access and experience in the game that 2 weeks is completely inadequate for and it is great publicity.
It gives paying players more freedom to do other tasks. Bomber dudes wont need to look hard to find someone to gun for them and will likely end up with a group of highly skilled gunners.
Also likely, all manable cv guns would be occupied while engaging enemy ships and bases instead of the often single 8inch turret trying to defend a cv.
Free players should also be allowed to operate vehicles or aircraft to deliver sups to players or bases. Anything that doesnt compromise the profitability of the game and adds to the experience should be open to free accounts. Which is exactly what these suggestions do because these activities are not what draw the paying customers.
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Hum.. You do make a point... well thought out. But you still have to watch out for the kids that... Erhem hacks.
Didn't they close down the free arenas along time ago for that?( that's what I heard, correct me if I'm wrong )
And people like WARBEAST can play for free.
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:rofl :rofl WARBEAST!!
"Welcome to kill club" :rofl :rofl
Interesting idea, but sometimes I like to just sit and relax with a brew in some manned gun somewhere. I guess I could just sit in the tower while some freeloader has all the fun. (I know, freeloader is a bit harsh just couldn't think of the right word.)
<S> Melvin
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F ME RUNNING! Dammit, I forgot about WARYEAST! Well, we'll just have to have a function that allows any free player to be, ejected or banned for even slight violations including just being annoying.
I dont know why they closed the 8 player, but how could that have prevented any kind of hacks?
Interesting idea, but sometimes I like to just sit and relax with a brew in some manned gun somewhere. I guess I could just sit in the tower while some freeloader has all the fun. (I know, freeloader is a bit harsh just couldn't think of the right word.)
<S> Melvin
I dont think that the population would reach epic proportions, so I think on that rare occassion when you feel the need, you can still find an open gun. Even if you can't I think the benefit outweighs the drawbacks.
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F ME RUNNING! Dammit, I forgot about WARYEAST! Well, we'll just have to have a function that allows any free player to be, ejected or banned for even slight violations including just being annoying.
I dont know why they closed the 8 player, but how could that have prevented any kind of hacks?
I dont think that the population would reach epic proportions, so I think on that rare occassion when you feel the need, you can still find an open gun. Even if you can't I think the benefit outweighs the drawbacks.
I believe the arenas are coming back, for paying subscribers only of course. Ranger and some others have hinted at their devlopment. :)
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I believe the arenas are coming back, for paying subscribers only of course. Ranger and some others have hinted at their devlopment. :)
In that same vein, how many who played for free before decided to start paying before they had to? And, how many did actually subscribe versus just not playing any more?
Two weeks isn't enough free time?
wrongway
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I actually like aspects of this idea but paying players should always be able to boot a free player from any position. I do think it would draw subscribers.
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post deleted
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In that same vein, how many who played for free before decided to start paying before they had to? And, how many did actually subscribe versus just not playing any more?
I don't know for sure, but I bet all of those who were hooked on 8 player are still here! And my guess is, half of them eventually paid for it "before they had to.
Two weeks isn't enough free time?
No it's not. Most people jump into the game without even reading the instructions then spend two weeks used, abused, and confused, GUARANTEED! And many of them have never even played any kind of flight sims. If you see a smile on any of them after 2 weeks, you're looking at their butt crack!
How long have you played this game wrongway? And how much longer before youre any good?
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:rofl :rofl WARBEAST!!
"Welcome to kill club" :rofl :rofl
Interesting idea, but sometimes I like to just sit and relax with a brew in some manned gun somewhere. I guess I could just sit in the tower while some freeloader has all the fun. (I know, freeloader is a bit harsh just couldn't think of the right word.)
<S> Melvin
It’s a legitimate concern.
I assume some mechanism could be arranged where a paying customer always usurps a Free-Player.
Maybe when a Free-Player is in a manned-gun position it actually shows as empty.
If a Free-Player only has access to a “Volunteer” button (See “Free-Play For WWI Arena”) then its no problem. The Server won’t try and put him in there if its filled by another Free-Player or a Paying-Player.
If a Paying-Player tries to enter, he usurps the Free-Player and takes over.
I assume a similar mechanism is need for arena caps. Maybe the arena login numbers look like:
“200/200(30)”
Meaning the arena has reached its cap, but 30 of the players are Free-Players. Another Free-Player cannot enter, but a Paying-Player can usurp and a Free-Player is booted to allow the Paying-Player in.
Regards,
Wab
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The thing with kickin free players outta position is this: Free guy sees a bunch of targets headed his way and starts drooling. "Oh boy, here they come!"
Then BAM, he's booted out.
How long would you stick around if this kept happening? Personally, I'd say screw it and play a different free game.
<S> Melvin
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The thing with kickin free players outta position is this: Free guy sees a bunch of targets headed his way and starts drooling. "Oh boy, here they come!"
Then BAM, he's booted out.
How long would you stick around if this kept happening? Personally, I'd say screw it and play a different free game.
<S> Melvin
Perhaps, but I'm sure at the time he signs up for free play he is notified that he serves at the pleasure of the server and will be assigned, or reassigned as the needs of game-play and the paying customer base dictate.
If he is getting to play for free but is so unreasonable to balk at that compromise, then I supect, that is one we could do without. ;)
Or he could convert to Paying-Player. :D
Regards,
Wab
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How long have you played this game wrongway? And how much longer before youre any good?
3-4 years? Paid for all but 2 weeks too. :neener:
And, I'll never be any good. :cool:
wrongway
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3-4 years? Paid for all but 2 weeks too. :neener:
And, I'll never be any good. :cool:
wrongway
Crap, i couldn't get into a dogfight even if i tried. I get shot down before I'm within distance of engaging. That's why i bust open hangars, one run equals an entire base. :devil
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I just love the way you guys look for ways so HTC DOESN'T make money. This is a business to them, money coming in means money to pay the bills. Giving free spots, guns,transports and such isn't bring in money and is just opening the doors to more mischief. If it was me sitting in the big chair I'd be laughing my butt off at all of these "free" threads.
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I just love the way you guys look for ways so HTC DOESN'T make money. This is a business to them, money coming in means money to pay the bills. Giving free spots, guns,transports and such isn't bring in money and is just opening the doors to more mischief. If it was me sitting in the big chair I'd be laughing my butt off at all of these "free" threads.
So HT giving the FA guys 6 months free made him how much during that time? Pretty much the same type of idea.
Having been a corporate marketer responsible for the bottom line for publicly traded companies I see value in it. What do you do for a living?
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I'm an amateur Gynaecologist.
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[Nevermind. He is not worth responding too.]
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what they need to do is a give a free month to everyone that refers a friend and they sign up as a paying customer for at least 1 month..... best advertising is word of mouth, i should know my business has run for almost 8 years with very little to no advertising just word of mouth.
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[Nevermind. He is not worth responding to.]
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I'm an amateur Gynaecologist.
I want that job.
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If you've got a thin wrist and a waterproof watch Bald, your good to go fella ;)
Wurzel
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If you've got a thin wrist and a waterproof watch Bald, your good to go fella ;)
Wurzel
Well, I do have a thin wrist but my waterproof Tag Heuer is pretty big.
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what they need to do is a give a free month to everyone that refers a friend and they sign up as a paying customer for at least 1 month..... best advertising is word of mouth, i should know my business has run for almost 8 years with very little to no advertising just word of mouth.
Actually, if you do it through your website, they pay cash.
HTC Affiliate Program (http://www.hitechcreations.com/HiTech-Creations/Affiliates/affiliate-why-art.html)
So HT giving the FA guys 6 months free made him how much during that time? Pretty much the same type of idea.
It gave a known, paying segment of the market somewhere to continue to play a type of game that they no longer had the opportunity to do so where they formerly were.
Almost guaranteed subscriptions.
What kind of business do you market for and how far outside of the market do you go to give free things away?
What kind of free stuff do I get if I want to buy a Lamborghini? I mean, I know I want one and can afford one....
After all, if it's a money issue, what am I looking at Lambos for?
wrongway
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Well, I do have a thin wrist but my waterproof Tag Heuer is pretty big.
:D You owe me a desk clean ya bugger.
Wife came in to see what I was laughing at too ;)
Wurzel
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Hum.. You do make a point... well thought out. But you still have to watch out for the kids that... Erhem hacks.
Didn't they close down the free arenas along time ago for that?( that's what I heard, correct me if I'm wrong )
And people like WARBEAST can play for free.
the 8-room arenas, i started in there, loved it, but they had to shut it down cus kids were hacking the whole ability to bring infinite fuel/ammo and bringing it into the MA
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Well, I do have a thin wrist but my waterproof Tag Heuer is pretty big.
Perfect, you'll make extra tips with that bad boy.
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What kind of business do you market for and how far outside of the market do you go to give free things away?
What kind of free stuff do I get if I want to buy a Lamborghini? I mean, I know I want one and can afford one....
After all, if it's a money issue, what am I looking at Lambos for?
wrongway
wrongway, did you ever get the feeling your handle was incredibly fitting? Please stop talking because you obviously know nothing about business.
If aces high were a car, it would be more like a Chevy. And if you went to look at a Lamborghini they would laugh at you. If someone with real money walked in they would say "here are the keys, take it home for a month." It happens all the time, so you are wrong again!
Now if you want to make a real comparison, try fast food. Mcdonalds gives away hundreds of MILLIONS in free food. Why? Because they know that people will inevitably buy something else. You get them in the door and they will spend money.
This idea takes NOTHING away from hitech because NOBODY comes here to man field guns. What it DOES do is, it adds value to the game. Especially if they implemented the WW1 idea because no one who is strictly into ww1 planes is going to pay for a game with mediocre graphics, a limited plane set, and virtually no population.
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make them the bit--- err....errand runners? :P
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the 8-room arenas, i started in there, loved it, but they had to shut it down cus kids were hacking the whole ability to bring infinite fuel/ammo and bringing it into the MA
Im not sure why the 8 player was shut down, but I know ^ this ^ was not why. The ability to have unlimited ammo is still available in the off line mode and the game software was always the same whether in 8 player, offline, or online. So if someone wanted to hack, they didnt need the 8 player arena to figure it out.
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wrongway, did you ever get the feeling your handle was incredibly fitting? Please stop talking because you obviously know nothing about business.
If aces high were a car, it would be more like a Chevy. And if you went to look at a Lamborghini they would laugh at you. If someone with real money walked in they would say "here are the keys, take it home for a month." It happens all the time, so you are wrong again!
Now if you want to make a real comparison, try fast food. Mcdonalds gives away hundreds of MILLIONS in free food. Why? Because they know that people will inevitably buy something else. You get them in the door and they will spend money.
This idea takes NOTHING away from hitech because NOBODY comes here to man field guns. What it DOES do is, it adds value to the game. Especially if they implemented the WW1 idea because no one who is strictly into ww1 planes is going to pay for a game with mediocre graphics, a limited plane set, and virtually no population.
You almost get my point.
Yes, if I can't afford a Lambo, they're not going to give me a Lambo. If I can afford a Camaro but want what the Corvette has, they're not going to give me a Corvette. Or vice versa, they're not going to give me a Cobalt in hopes that I buy a Corvette.
Correct me if I'm wrong again, HiTech gives away a FREE game and Two Weeks FREE play.
If someone gave you a single, free donut every time you went to the donut shop, how many donuts would you buy?
Do you pay to play? If so, why? Obviously it's not for the WWI arena with "with mediocre graphics, a limited plane set, and virtually no population".
But hey, what do I know about business? I'm off in search of my free McDonalds every time I go there. Can you point me in the right direction?
wrongway
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Im not sure why the 8 player was shut down, but I know ^ this ^ was not why. The ability to have unlimited ammo is still available in the off line mode and the game software was always the same whether in 8 player, offline, or online. So if someone wanted to hack, they didnt need the 8 player arena to figure it out.
you missunderstood what i said. remember how in 8-player you had the option to set it too infinite ammo/fuel etc? players would go into those rooms, do some kind of hack, then bring that ability into the MA, giving there planes infinite ammo/fuel whenever they sortied.only way hitech had of stopping this was getting rid of the 8-player rooms
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Actually, if you do it through your website, they pay cash.
HTC Affiliate Program (http://www.hitechcreations.com/HiTech-Creations/Affiliates/affiliate-why-art.html)
It gave a known, paying segment of the market somewhere to continue to play a type of game that they no longer had the opportunity to do so where they formerly were.
Almost guaranteed subscriptions.
What kind of business do you market for and how far outside of the market do you go to give free things away?
What kind of free stuff do I get if I want to buy a Lamborghini? I mean, I know I want one and can afford one....
After all, if it's a money issue, what am I looking at Lambos for?
wrongway
OK. The Lambo argument is a bit ridiculous don't you think?
I worked in executive sales and marketing management roles in the entertainment retail and distribution industries (music and home video) for over 20 years including Internet marketing. Broadly speaking AH is simply another entertainment product so it doesn't fall far outside the scope of where I've spent the majority of my career.
I gave away songs all the time in hopes the the listener would return to buy the full product (the CD or album... guess I'm dating myself a little). Of course I'd try to target my audiences as much as possible to improve convesion rates but, for the most part, the freebies were free to anyone with the knowledge to get them. In this environment it's no different. The freebies would be available to anyone however, only those with a predisposed interest would have the knowledge to aquire them; essentially a self targeted audience.
There's a LOT of value in HT doing this and in advertising it through his normal, I assume, targeted channels. The analogy to giving away a song to get someone to buy the album is completely relevant in this case. When I was running these campaigns through targeted advertising I saw response rates as high as 28% and conversion rates in the 10% range although those numbers weren't the norm. Most often I could expect response rates in the 6-10% range with conversions in the 2-3% range. The higher numbers were always attributable to outstanding creative and impactful messaging in the advertising. Regardless, the campaigns were nearly always profitable and the reason that they continued on a regular basis.
In addition to that I gave away a lot of other things, signed guitars, trips to concerts, memorabilia, etc., etc., etc. but the basic "give them a taste" campaign was, for the most part, always successful.
Next?
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You almost get my point.
Yes, if I can't afford a Lambo, they're not going to give me a Lambo. If I can afford a Camaro but want what the Corvette has, they're not going to give me a Corvette. Or vice versa, they're not going to give me a Cobalt in hopes that I buy a Corvette.
Correct me if I'm wrong again, HiTech gives away a FREE game and Two Weeks FREE play.
If someone gave you a single, free donut every time you went to the donut shop, how many donuts would you buy?
Do you pay to play? If so, why? Obviously it's not for the WWI arena with "with mediocre graphics, a limited plane set, and virtually no population".
But hey, what do I know about business? I'm off in search of my free McDonalds every time I go there. Can you point me in the right direction?
wrongway
They said "you can't fix ......" I didn't believe them, but I give up.
you missunderstood what i said. remember how in 8-player you had the option to set it too infinite ammo/fuel etc? players would go into those rooms, do some kind of hack, then bring that ability into the MA, giving there planes infinite ammo/fuel whenever they sortied.only way hitech had of stopping this was getting rid of the 8-player rooms
I understood you perfectly. Again, "infinite ammo" was NOT limited to the 8 player arenas. You didnt need a h--k, you simply changed the setting! Anyone could do it offline. Or the person hosting an 8 player game could set fuel and ammo however he chose! It was an intended feature of the game.
Whoever committed the unspeakable crime of unlocking it in the MA, did not learn to do this as a result of playing in the 8 player arenas. They accomplished it because they had a thorough understanding of software. They could have done it even if the 8 player arena never existed.
What I am trying to say is, I doubt that HT punished all those who played in the 8 player arenas because someone broke the software when it was only a matter of time before it happened.
There may be more to the story than this. I dont know! But from what you said I dont think that was the reason.
I did check offline a moment ago and I was incorrect when I said this function is still available. I couldnt find it in the few minutes I looked.
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There may be more to the story than this. I dont know! But from what you said I dont think that was the reason.
I did check offline a moment ago and I was incorrect when I said this function is still available. I couldnt find it in the few minutes I looked.
Muzik,
Just a heads up... from what I understand there were cases of the H2H feature being used for purposes that violated their user agreements. I'm not going to discuss it, but that was one of the reasons as far as I remember.
Regards,
Wab
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I just love the way you guys look for ways so HTC DOESN'T make money. This is a business to them, money coming in means money to pay the bills. Giving free spots, guns,transports and such isn't bring in money and is just opening the doors to more mischief. If it was me sitting in the big chair I'd be laughing my butt off at all of these "free" threads.
I'd say he;d be shaking his head and making little snorting noises as he reads through it! :) Maybe the WW1 idea is a good idea there is really nothing to lose there at the moment and everything to gain. But some of the other ideas its spawning are ridulous! Fact of life if you give people something for nothing they will abuse it and see you as a soft touch. Fact of life 2 you pay for everything but air! :D
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OK. The Lambo argument is a bit ridiculous don't you think?
I worked in executive sales and marketing management roles in the entertainment retail and distribution industries (music and home video) for over 20 years including Internet marketing. Broadly speaking AH is simply another entertainment product so it doesn't fall far outside the scope of where I've spent the majority of my career.
I gave away songs all the time in hopes the the listener would return to buy the full product (the CD or album... guess I'm dating myself a little). Of course I'd try to target my audiences as much as possible to improve convesion rates but, for the most part, the freebies were free to anyone with the knowledge to get them. In this environment it's no different. The freebies would be available to anyone however, only those with a predisposed interest would have the knowledge to aquire them; essentially a self targeted audience.
There's a LOT of value in HT doing this and in advertising it through his normal, I assume, targeted channels. The analogy to giving away a song to get someone to buy the album is completely relevant in this case. When I was running these campaigns through targeted advertising I saw response rates as high as 28% and conversion rates in the 10% range although those numbers weren't the norm. Most often I could expect response rates in the 6-10% range with conversions in the 2-3% range. The higher numbers were always attributable to outstanding creative and impactful messaging in the advertising. Regardless, the campaigns were nearly always profitable and the reason that they continued on a regular basis.
In addition to that I gave away a lot of other things, signed guitars, trips to concerts, memorabilia, etc., etc., etc. but the basic "give them a taste" campaign was, for the most part, always successful.
Next?
Give them a taste = 2 weeks free. And, like you said, it is targeted to someone with knowledge of the product or, at least, an interest in the product.
What everyone asking for free is failing to take into account is LIMITED. Limited access is still access all the time. Why buy the cow if the milk is free, even if it is a canvas and plywood cow?
I'm not against free stuff. I just don't see how letting someone play for free, as much as they like, even if only in one arena, can be a winner for making money. Of course, I saw the free 8-player in the same light.
I'm interested in a free guitar. Know where I can get one?
wrongway
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I'm not against free stuff. I just don't see how letting someone play for free, as much as they like, even if only in one arena, can be a winner for making money.
FRAPS
AVG
Visual Studio Express
Nero
PhotoPlus SE
Skype
AdAware
Google Earth
All provide feature rather than time limited versions. You buy to get access to higher functionality.
A lot of smart companies with smart people working for them have figured out that there is advantage to keeping contact with a potential customer as long as possible to increase the sale oppertunities, instead of slapping them with an all-or-nothing ultimatum after a brief trial period.
Wab
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I think having a free WW1 arena is a good idea.
People can learn how to use the clipboard, map their controls etc. How to takeoff and land.
The regular WW1 arena pilots will kill them with ease. It is that hook that bites, the drive to get even :t. Once someone can hold their own they are most likely to think I want to try and pay for the WW2 arenas.
Troublemakers can't exactly do much damage in a near empty WW1 arena. The ack tears people up and the layout forces people to fight.
I think it is win win, get more people playing , less likely to need technical help when they do start paying. Also guys that come under financial difficulties can still get a little fix.
my own personal addiction started in a free battle of britain room killing AI waves of German fighters and bombers. I spent a few months plying my trade and defending the Queen. Until I could kill 10 AI 109's vs my single Hurricane did I think I need more.
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I think having a free WW1 arena is a good idea.
Well in the other thread Free-Play for the WWI Arena I shifted over to suggesting it as a general replacement for the 2 week trial model and I still feel its a superior approach.
However, from a practical implementation standpoint, I'd definitely recommend trying it on the WWI arena first. See how it works. Later maybe expanding to the EW and AVA. Then, maybe someday, as a general replacement for the 2-week trial model.
Regards,
Wab